This coming Saturday is the large and smallmouth bass opener on the inland waters and the Great Lakes. The season opener on Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair River and the Detroit River is not until the 3rd Saturday in June. Catch and release anglers have caught a fair to good number of bass. The late spring weather has put spawning about a week later than normal.
SOUTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA FISHING REPORT
Lake Erie: Walleye fishing slowed after the storms came through and stirred up the lake, which was fairly muddy. Fish were caught on a gold crawler harness in 17 feet out of Bolles Harbor, a purple crawler harness and bottom bouncer in 18 to 20 feet near the Edison plant, a blue crawler harness and bottom bouncer in 20 feet off Stony Point, fire-tiger, red and chartreuse harness in 16 to 20 feet in Brest Bay, or a green and purple harness with inline weights and bottom bouncers in 18 feet off Sterling State Park. Fish were also caught in 20 to 24 feet off Fermi when drifting red and white Erie Dearies or trolling UV colored spoons and green and purple crank baits 10 to 15 feet down. Perch were caught in Brest Bay in 15 feet on perch rigs with minnows. Channel cats were caught in 24 feet in the Hot Ponds with chicken liver or in Bolles Harbor with shrimp.
- If you're planning on fishing out of Sterling State Park or the Brest Bay area you can pick up fishing license, large and small minnows or just about any other fishing needs at Jeff's Bait & Tackle.
- If you're planning on fishing any of the canals near Lake Erie Metro Park or Point Mouillee State Game Area or if you're going to be fishing the southern half of the Detroit River you can get all of your bait & tackle needs met at Bottom Line Bait & Tackle.
Detroit River: Had limit catches of white bass. Many were fishing in the Trenton Channel and between Wyandotte and the mouth. Walleye were caught in the shipping channel east of Grosse Isle. Most were jigging dark plastics with minnows.
- For a list of more public lakes in Wayne county please click here!
Nearby Bait Shops Include:
Andy's Tacle Box (313) 388-3474
Big Moes Bait Shop (313) 259-1176
Dip Net Live Bait & Tackle (313) 388-5811
Moe's Bait Shop (313) 824-5222
Motor City Bait & Tackle (313) 551-0201
Lake St. Clair: Walleye anglers did very well when trolling a crawler harness or crank bait along the shoreline in 6 to 8 feet. It appears the bass have moved up into the bays or inlets between the islands where the water was warmer. There, both large and smallmouth and some pike were caught. Perch were slow but sunfish, rock bass and white bass were hitting crawlers.
- For a more accurate report on Lake St. Clair I suggest reaching out to the people at Sportsmen's Direct as their weekly LSC fishing report is usually far more in depth. Phone: (586-741-6052)
Lexington and Port Sanilac: Lake trout fishing has been phenomenal at both ports with limit catches common. The fish are in 30 to 40 feet and were hitting on spoons fished off downriggers. Pier anglers caught walleye when casting crank baits at night.
Harbor Beach: A few coho were caught straight out and north of the harbor in 30 to 40 foot with 2, 3, and 5 color lines with offshore boards or spoons 15 to 20 feet down off downriggers. The hot color was silver with multi colored dots. Lake trout were taken from top to bottom on spoons or dodgers with spin-glo's. Steelhead were caught on small bright colored spoons fished near the surface. Walleye were caught on small spoons close to shore.
Port Austin and Grindstone City: Fishing pressure was lighter at both ports but lake trout were caught in 70 to 90 feet. Surface water temperature on the outside of the Thumb was still pretty cold at 48 to 50 degrees. Pier anglers at Port Austin caught walleye when casting crank baits at night. Smallmouth bass were starting to show up in the harbors, Bird Creek and the lower Willow River.
Saginaw Bay: Had excellent walleye fishing on crawler harnesses and body baits in 4 to 7 feet off Gambil's Marina near Pinconning. Off Linwood, those trolling did well around sailboat buoys A and B. The lower part of the bay, from the Bay City State Park south to the Kawkawlin River mouth in 10 to 11 feet as well as the Saginaw River mouth and the old Dumping Grounds were all producing walleye. At Quanicassee, walleye fishing was very good in 6 to 15 feet on body baits, crawler harnesses or spoons. Some were taking limit catches. Hot colors were pink, purple, chartreuse and brass. Those launching at Sebewaing were heading south to fish the lower end of the Slot straight out of Quanicassee. The carp are just starting to spawn so bow anglers should do well this coming weekend.
- For a more accurate report on Saginaw Bay I suggest taking a look at the weekly Saginaw Bay Fishing Report given to you by Saginawbay.com
Nearby Bait Shops Include:
Franks Great Outdoors (989) 697-5341
GW's Fishing Lures (989) 684-6431
The Party Dock (989) 684-2150
West Marine (898) 667-2100
Michigan Sportsman Bait & Tackle (989) 893-6550
Live Bait (989) 992-7770
Saginaw River: Boats fishing the lower river in front of the Karn power plant and the Weadok power plant were getting walleye when vertical jigging with jig heads tipped with minnows, worms or scented plastics.
Tittabawassee River: Walleye fishing has tapered off for the spring. The white bass run has peaked and was starting to taper off but anglers were still getting some from Center Road up to M-46. Smallmouth bass fishing is just getting underway.
Flint River: Anglers were taking some limit catches of walleye from the Holloway Reservoir. Fish were caught near the tubes at Stanley Road. Walleye, catfish and smallmouth bass were caught at Zemmer Park and near the bridges in Columbiaville.
- For a list of more public lakes in Wayne county please click here!
Bait Masters (989) 697-5341
Bob's Bait Shop & Taxidermy (989) 684-6431
Cobb Bait, Tackle & Pet Supply (989) 684-2150
M-15 Bait & Tackle (898) 667-2100
The Fishing Tackle Grab Bag (989) 893-6550
With all of this rising water across the state there are ample opportunities to get out and fish. With that in mnd I suggest reaching out to the local bait shops in southeast Michigan to verify what your best options are. Below are links to bait shop listings orgnized by county:
- Wayne County Click Here!
- Washtenaw County Click Here!
- Bay County Click Here!
- Monroe County Click Here!
- Livingston County Click Here!
- Ingham County Click Here!
- Genesee County Click Here!
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